Interesting happenings in the visiting team area after the game | The Knoxville Focus

Interesting Happenings in the Visiting Team Area After the Game

Tennessee fans at Neyland Stadium commonly greet visiting teams with scattered boos as they enter the field, but a much deeper story unfolds behind the scenes. After each game, the South end of the stadium becomes a busy and often overlooked center of activity.

The current visiting team area was established during the 1948 stadium expansion and has since seen enhancements, including a new media room, making it nearly 80 years old. Despite its age, this zone remains a constant hub of post-game events.

Across college football, visiting team areas often feel like a secondary consideration, yet they contribute significantly to the atmosphere and experience of the game. For instance, coaches sometimes conduct their post-game radio shows before facing the media, which can create coordination challenges.

These challenges are especially notable for the home school's Sports Information Department (SID) team in the press box, who are eager to share coach comments with media representatives promptly.

Notable Incident: 1996 Game vs. Georgia

A memorable moment occurred after the 1996 game against Georgia. On the air, Georgia's head coach Jim Donnan accused Phillip Fulmer of "running up the score" by throwing a late touchdown pass to Derrick Edmonds. Such tense exchanges are common in this environment.

"Jim Donnan suggested that Phillip Fulmer 'ran up the score' with a late TD pass to Derrick Edmonds."

Off the air, Donnan spoke with co-host Loran Smith about having dinner with Archie Manning the previous night and joked about possibly revealing parts of Georgia's game plan.

"Donnan asked show co-host Loran Smith about having dinner with Archie Manning the night before and, perhaps, giving away elements of the Georgia game plan."

Conclusion

The visiting team area at Neyland Stadium, despite being less visible, hosts significant moments that shape the unfolding drama of college football games beyond the field.

Author’s Summary: The visiting team zone at Neyland Stadium is a lively and historic space where candid moments and post-game drama unfold, enriching the college football experience.

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The Knoxville Focus The Knoxville Focus — 2025-11-05

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